On the women’s circuit the current top seed Aryna Sabalenka will look to defend the title once again, but she will face stiff competition from the likes of Coco Gauff and Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.

But another player who was once at the summit of the WTA Tour will not take to the courts at Melbourne Park in January.

Which WTA player will not play at the 2025 Australian Open?

The 2025 Australian Open will commence on January 12, but Karolina Pliskova will not be in the draw.

The former World number one has not played since the US Open in August after suffering an ankle injury against Jasmine Paolini, and retired from the match after just three points were played.

In an interview with Czech outlet Idnes, Pliskova said she had been suffering from an ankle issue since February, but it worsened at the US Open and has not played since.

She has had complications with her treatment and therefore is still not ready to return to action, and therefore will miss the Australian Open.

“I can’t run yet and we’re still a long way from tennis,” said the former Wimbledon and US Open finalist. “Even though I was under injections.

“It just started, I just jumped up in New York and that was it. Both of my tendons ruptured and they had to do some ligaments.

“The subsequent treatment also became more complicated. “I got an infection twice, I had two antibiotics. It didn’t look good. It just took a long time for everything to heal.”

When does Karolina Pliskova expect to be back on tour?

Pliskova has been out of action for almost four months and it is still too soon for her to return.

But the two-time Grand Slam runner-up has given her fans an important update, as she aims to make a comeback in March 2025.

This will mean she would be back in for the start of the North American hard court season, including the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open.

“I don’t want to rush anything. I already made a mistake with my hand – I played in pain for a month and a half, and I still didn’t win anything. It makes no sense,” she said.

“So I’ll take the protected ranking and come back in March for Indian Wells and Miami. Of course, unless there’s another hitch.”